Huay Tung Tao Circular Hike

Huay Tung Tao is a fresh water reservoir at the foot of Doi Suthep mountain, just a few kilometers north-west of the Chiang Mai city center. The lake is used for swimming and is a well known picnic area. It’s also the starting point for an interesting hike of about 7 kilometers, which will take you to the Dtaat Mook waterfall and to a helipad with breathtaking views over the lake and beyond.

Photos of the Huay Tung Tao hike

Here are some photos that will give you an idea of what to expect during this hike. There is green jungle on the way leading up to the waterfall. Other parts of the hike are through drier forest areas and include open spaces with good viewpoints.

A shaded track through evergreen forest leads to the waterfall.
The Dtaat Mook waterfall hidden away in the forest. A good place to take a natural shower.
On clear days you will have beautiful views over the lake and surrounding area.
Another view from the mountain.
The trail near the helipad.
Open space with rocks in the forest.

Hike description

The starting point of this hike is near the Golden Buddha image on the west side of the Huay Tung Tao reservoir. Geo-coordinates (in decimal degrees) for the starting point are:
Latitude: 18.865489°
Longitude: 98.938103°

Here is a map of the hike.

The Huay Tung Tao Hike with waterfall and Helipad

We start near the Golden Buddha which is overlooking the Huay Tung Tao reservoir and follow the trail in anti-clock-wise direction. The first 2 kilometers are quite easy. At waypoint Y you will cross a stream and immediately turn left following the stream towards the waterfall.

The next 1.5 kilometers from waypoint Y to the waterfall you will be gradually climbing about 150 meter. The trail is shaded as you will be walking through an area with evergreen forest. The foot of the waterfall is at an elevation of about 585 meter.

The Dtaat Mook waterfall has water throughout the year, but is at its best during and just after the rainy season. It’s possible to take a shower under the spray of water. After a stop at the waterfall you take the same track back to waypoint W where you turn right and cross the stream.

The track goes slowly up again until you reach waypoint T, which is a T-junction where you will have to turn right to go to the helipad. (Another option is to turn left here and go down back to the lake.). The way up is a rather steep climb. It is the toughest part of the hike as the trail is quite steep and rough with a lot of branches and bamboo leaves poking your eyes. Over a distance of 1 kilometer you will have to climb about 225 meter to reach the highest point of this hike, which is at an elevation of 775 meters.

When you reach the top of this steep slope, you have reached the highest point of the hike (elevation 775 meters). Turn left here to go to the Helipad. (There is also a trail to the right which will take you to a lychee orchard.) It’s about 500 meters to reach the helipad. The track descends slowly and the Helipad is at an elevation of about 690 meter.

The Helipad is an excellent viewpoint. On clear days you can see all the way to Chiang Dao mountain. After enjoying the view you will follow the track down. This is a long and steep descend through rather dry deciduous forest. In the dry season you may find that part of the undergrowth is burned during one of the many forest fires. From the Helipad you will descend 340 meter over a distance of 1.6 kilometers and reach the dam of the Huay Tung Tao reservoir, which is at an elevation of 355 m. Turning left will lead you back to the place where you started the hike.

The entire hike is just over 7 kilometers long. From the start at the Golden Buddha it takes you 415 meter higher up the mountain to an elevation of about 775 meter. Depending on your speed and how long you rest at waterfall and helipad, the hike will take about 3 hours.

Download the tracks

With the following links you can download the hike. The .kml (keyhole markup language) and .kmz files can be opened in Google Earth. The .gpx file can probably be used in your GPS device.

To download a file, right-click the link and then save it to your computer.

How to get there?

From the north-west corner of the Old City take Huai Kaeo Road (Road 1004) until after 2.2 km you reach the irrigation canal.
Turn right and follow the canal road (Road 121) for about 6.7 km.
Turn left (Huay Tung Tao is indicated).
Follow this road (about 2 km) and pay 20 Baht entrance fee. At the T-junction turn left.
Follow this road along the lake for about 1.2 km and park near the Golden Buddha.Total distance from the north-west corner of the old city to the Golden Buddha at Huay Tung Tao is about 12 km.

See the blue line on the map below (red is the hike):

Location of the Huay Tung Tao hike

14 Responses to "Huay Tung Tao Circular Hike"

I did both a cycle to and around these lakes, then later on did the hike. I mist say thank you, it is a great find. I confess I got slightly lost and didn’t get to see the waterfall and I ended up, after helipad, returning to my original way up! Did the hike on my own, and found it eminently doable for a relative beginner. The hard part of the hike is quite the adventure! Quite the large amount of bamboo fallen and impeding. All in all, I really appreciate what you’ve done, so thank you

Thanks a lot for sharing the place, hike and detailed instructions – turned out very helpful. Today we just did a shorter version found on Wikiloc (navi app with hiking trail maps) – to the waterfall and back – as we arrived a little late. I must say GPS was essential, otherwise we wouldn’t find the right path leading to the Dtaat Mook – it was rather a wild area. But all the efforts were rewarded when we finally got there!
We got to Huay Tung Tao taking two songthaews. One from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 1 to Don Kaew, the second we cached on the way leading directly to the lake reservoir (60THB/person for both 1 way). This might be helpful for those who don’t have their own transport.
The adventure is worth recommending and your tips much appreciated!

Great hike. My wife and I did it in early Jan 2016. I must say that we got quite lost, and so did several other groups we ran into, and 3 of the 4 lost groups were using your guide!

So for anyone considering to do this hike, a few pointers:
1) Once you get to the stream, trail markings, which up to that point are frequent and clear, stop entirely. Not a problem though if you just stay vigilant.
2) The waterfall is breathtaking, just keep going along the stream, keeping it on your left (and ducking under bamboo bowers pretty much the whole way) until you hit it. Once you’re done taking it in, you’ll double back on the same path and then cross the stream about 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile back (at Waypoint W).
3) After you cross the stream and walk about another 1/4 to 1/2 mile, you’ll come to a pseudo-opening on a rocky, sandy hilltop (Waypoint T). You’ll know you’ve hit it because it’ll be the first time that you’ll have no clear path to follow, and the vegetation will be much much thinner. If you walk onto the hill, with the path you came from at your 6 o’clock, then using those same bearings, you will exit the hill at about your 4 o’clock (that is, back and to your right).
4) Once you find the path leading away from this sandy-rocky hill (and you will, as there aren’t any other paths that lead up the mountain) then you have to really be on your guard, because this is where everyone we met (including us) got lost. You’ll climb some steep grade for a decent stretch, a little more than 1/2 mile. Once it flattens out, keep your eyes peeled for a very sharp left turn (at about your 7 o’clock). Missing this turn is where everyone got lost. That’s because it’s easy to write off as a deer path, or to expect a clearer left-or-right option ahead. If it starts getting steep again. Stop and turnaround. We climbed another 200m before we realized or mistake!

A few other key points unrelated to the trail:
1) Bring lots of food and water. Lots.
2) This hike is not for beginners.
3) Arrange ahead of time to have a taxi or other mode of transport waiting for you to take you away from the lake. There are normally no taxis or other public transport options there.

A friend and I tried to go on the trail today, but there was a park official at the trialhead who said we had to register at the office and hire a guide. The office said it was a new (as in the last couple months) requirement to hire a guide. We decided to explore a different area instead.

Hi! Did the hike twice with a group and didn’t need to hire a guide. Going friday again with a group.
Using a Bike is an adventure. You drive mainly on the side of the highway and the Thai are used to bicycles and mopeds there, so don’t worry. Want to thank you for your perfect map! I’m a mountaineer from Austria and guided some friends here. Must also say that is not a beginnersroute! People have to be fit and not anxious for dense jungle. But don’t do it with kids or unfit people. I did that the first time and took me 120 min longer because of the steep part. Gps uses in wikiloc was perfect! Always back up with 2/3 phones. Also get the number for the Heli! There are (very rarely) been King Cobra’s seen. And saw a few big spiders. Be informed. They don’t do anything but people sometimes panic 😜😂But yes, it was a wonderfull hike and very doable! Don’t do it alone I guess! Hike always with somebody in a park like this and if you are not used to it! Many many thanks! Loved it!! Perfect